Mercy rule in effect in ’Jackets 13-3 win

Williamstown improves to 2-0

March 21, 2013

WILLIAMSTOWN - Scoring seven runs in the first two innings, Williamstown took an early 7-1 lead over visiting Doddridge County Wednesday afternoon, then put the game away with a five-run fifth frame to post a 13-3 LKC North win over the Bulldogs.

Sophomore Dakota Watson started for the now 2-0 Yellowjackets and hurled the initial three innings with four strikeouts and nary a walk to record the win. He was followed on the mound by soph Brye Mullinex and then freshman Landon Travis for a scoreless inning each.

Doddridge, although dropping its season opener, did however grab a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first on a delayed double steal as Drew Lett, on third base, stole home after David Lipscomb swiped second.

Williamstown, though, tripled the Bulldogs' output in its half of the first as Eli Gray's RBI single fell in between three fielders in short center and Avery Goff followed two batters later with a two-run double that the Doddridge right fielder charged, but couldn't get to in time and it dropped in to give the 'Jackets a 3-1 lead.

Four more tallies in the second on Watson's RBI single, Gray's bases-loaded, walk, a passed ball and a wild pitch upped the margin to 7-1 before the 'Dogs added two runs in the top of the third on Josh Smith's RBI single and a Williamstown throwing error.

But the rest of the scoring belonged to the Yellowjackets with a run in the third on Jake Tracewell's RBI triple past the center fielder that rolled all the way to the outfield fence and then the deciding fifth.

After loading the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fifth, Watson dropped an RBI bloop single just fair down the right-field line and Gray delivered a sacrifice fly to center before the Bulldogs' right and center fielders collided chasing a fly ball into right-center field to load the bases.

A passed ball plated a run to make the count 11-3 and back-to-back bases-loaded walks to Jaron Swisher and Mullenix ended the game via the five-inning 10-run rule.

"We haven't hit too much in our first two games (with just six hits in each), but we seem to have a pretty good eye for the ball,'' said Williamstown head coach Terry Smith. ''But it's been so cold out when we played the last two days that I don't know how the pitchers can hold onto the baseball. I wish it would warm up."

Smith, though, did Wednesday "get an opportunity to throw two 10th-graders and a freshman. So they'te getting their chance and we're getting a good look at them to see what they can do."

Plus, he added, "it's kind of early (in the season), so you can't expect a guy to go four or five innings. We were lucky we got a lead today, because if we can't throw strikes, I'm not sure we could field it because everybody's so cold."